Miami Heat

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Free agent shooting guard Ray Allen still hasn’t agreed to a contract to join the Miami Heat and has left Miami, according to ESPN.com.

Allen was in town Thursday meeting with Heat officials including team president Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra and stayed in Miami overnight to consider the Heat’s offer of a contract, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald.

The free agent guard is being wooed by the Heat to join the team in pursuit of another NBA championship next year. But, Allen’s previous team, the Boston Celtics, is also making a push to re-sign the 3-point shooting ace.

What Boston can offer Allen is more money. He has an offer on the table from Boston for 2-years, $12 million. The Heat can only offer the mini mid-level exception of 3-years, $9.3 million total, or $3.1 million per season.

ESPN.com reported sources said Allen is torn between returning to Boston and joining the Heat. The Boston Herald reported the Celtics have also offered a no-trade clause in a new deal with the team.

Heat superstars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have both been trying to recruit Allen to join the Heat starting next season. Allen would likely be the first player off the bench for the Heat and be in the lineup to close out games.

The Heat proved in the playoffs that a smaller lineup with LeBron James or Shane Battier at power forward and Chris Bosh at center could wreak havoc on the NBA. If Allen joined the Heat, he would provide excellent perimeter shooting that would open lanes up for LeBron and Wade to cut to the basket.

The Heat will offer Allen more minutes and arguably a quicker path to another NBA Championship than Boston can offer.

Allen was supposed to visit the Los Angeles Clippers Friday, but the Clippers signed Jamal Crawford and re-signed Chauncey Billups which had them canceling Allen’s visit.